• Amazon secured a seven-year landing permit to launch Project Kuiper satellite internet services in Nigeria from February 2026.
• The approval opens Nigeria’s LEO satellite broadband market to direct competition with Starlink, which counts more than 66,000 subscribers.
• Amazon plans Ka-band services with speeds of up to 400 Mbps, targeting households, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

Nigeria has opened its satellite broadband market to a new global player. Amazon secured a seven-year landing permit from the Nigerian Communications Commission, allowing Project Kuiper to launch internet services in the country from February 2026. The decision supports Nigeria’s strategy to diversify connectivity infrastructure and attract next-generation technology investment.

“The approval aligns with global best practices and reflects Nigeria’s commitment to opening its satellite communications market to next-generation broadband service providers,” the NCC said, highlighting the strategic importance of the authorization amid rising demand for connectivity.

The license allows Amazon Kuiper to operate its space segment in Nigeria as part of a global low-Earth-orbit constellation of up to 3,236 satellites. The authorization covers fixed satellite services, mobile satellite services, and earth stations in motion. These services target households, businesses, mobility use cases, logistics, aviation, maritime transport, and critical infrastructure.

Amazon’s entry ends Starlink’s quasi-exclusive dominance of Nigeria’s LEO satellite internet market. Starlink benefited from a first-mover advantage and built an estimated base of more than 66,000 subscribers. Kuiper’s arrival introduces direct competition between two global players with large financial, technological, and industrial resources. That rivalry could reshape pricing, service quality, and coverage.

From a technical standpoint, the authorization covers operations in the Ka frequency band, which supports high data transmission capacity. Amazon plans to use 100-MHz channels and deliver speeds of up to 400 Mbps while keeping terminal costs compatible with mass adoption. These features strengthen satellite broadband as a credible alternative to terrestrial networks, including in urban and semi-urban areas.

Nigeria represents a strategic market for Amazon. The country still faces major connectivity gaps despite its large population. According to the NCC, more than 23 million Nigerians live in unserved or underserved areas, while mobile broadband penetration reached 50.58% in November 2025. In that context, LEO satellites, which offer low latency, support advanced digital uses ranging from cloud computing to digital financial services.

Beyond households, Kuiper’s services could meet demand from businesses in oil and gas, mining, ports, and logistics corridors, where fiber deployment remains costly or technically complex. Amazon, which renamed Project Kuiper as Amazon LEO in November 2025, plans to leverage integration with Amazon Web Services to bundle connectivity with cloud services.

With this authorization, Nigeria strengthens its position as one of Africa’s most dynamic satellite broadband markets. Increased competition among LEO operators should gradually improve internet speed, affordability, and resilience, benefiting consumers, businesses, and Nigeria’s digital economy.

Samira Njoya, Ecofin Agency